Friday - Drivers' Parade
There
was only time in a hectic Saturday
schedule to post a selection of images
from the Drivers' Parade through the
town centre, but some more images have
been added since.
Earlier
in the afternoon Ben had established
a base camp in the official ACO Boutique
at the Museum, just outside the main
entry gates to the circuit. During
the course of an hour a steady stream
of race enthusiasts called by, some
familiar with The Stig, but an equal
number looking suitably bemused by
the attention Ben was gathering from
the Brits.
Ben's
autobiography was launched in paperback
just prior to the Le Mans week, and
the ACO generously invited The
Man in the White Suit to offer
the book for sale through their outlets
at the track.
Understandably,
the shop is largely devoted to the
24 Hours, and Ben's book is believed
to be one of very few titles in stock
that doesn't have the Le Mans race
at its heart. The red-covered paperback
now stands proudly on the shelves surrounded
by classic titles about past races
and the likes of local hero Henri Pescarolo.
Back
in the garage, the RML engineers and
mechanics sustained the relentless
schedule of preparation. The team's
HPD was undergoing it's third complete
rebuild in a little over a week. All
the race-spec components "shaken down"
and tested at Snetterton the previous
Friday were refitted to the car, and
the engine, gearbox and other ancillaries
used in practice and qualifying set
aside in readiness for refettling in
time for Imola at the start of July.
With their own more modest Friday duties
at the track completed, the three RML
drivers headed down into the town centre
for the evening's main attraction,
La Grande Parade des Pilotes.
Ben, Tommy and Mike with the team's very own cheerleader, Manon,
who held the
team's display board throughout the parade